Happy New Year!!!
Welcome too 2005! Is it really 2005? I guess so... How does everyone feel about the year so far? Any good predictions? Any cool stuff coming up for you? I have a good good feeling about this year. I have a few things on the horizon that might be fun. Just might. As we progress through the year, I'll keep ya updated. I do have one dark spot in the field of sunshine. I am turning 25 on March 30. 25?!?!? Is that old? I really don't think so, but I'd like to have a quarter-life crisis anyway. Hmm, need to think about that more. Enough about the New Year. We can't forget the conclusion of 2004 with one last party.
I stayed in Annapolis on December 31, 2004 for a few reasons. Number 1, Tony is still in town. We had planned to spend the New Year together since he announced his homecoming. Number 2, I didn't need to make a big deal about this holiday and spend a lot of money. It is always such a let down. I have stopped trying to plan something crazy. It has worked for a few years running so, no reason to fix what isn't broke.
The plan was to attend a party at his Father's house. At somepoint during the night, we would venture Downtown. It all sounded good to me. Unfortunatley, the party was cancelled. We had banked on eating at this party. Now we had no dinner. I could not get a reservation with Denby, Jason, Matt, and Megan so, Tony had an idea - Applebees. I cringe now as I say it. Applebees, my Neighborhood Bar and Grille. Ewww. Just how I want to spend part of NYE. No matter, the point was to chill with Tony and Jill. This night had no plans so, I was cool.
Around the time I was suppose to drive over to Tony's father's house, I got a phone call. Tony's father had invited us to a party in his neighborhood. No Applebees for us. I met them over on Popular Point, and we walked to the party. The older crowd had prepared a nice spread of food. We had two types of fondue, Crab Dip, Crab Cakes, vegetables, and Rice Crispy Treats. They also had a variety of great bottled beer. The coolest part of the house was the chimenea on the deck. We could stand outside and stare at the stars.
Around 8pm, we took a cab downtown to met the other kids. At the Ram's Head, Denby, Jason, Matt, and Megan had not sat down to dinner. We chilled in the upstairs bar for some time. Once they were sat at a table, we retired to the downstairs Pub. It was really quite down there. We had a table, but it was boring. We decided to head down Main Street, and have the others met up later in the evening.
The walk down Main Street was a real pick me up. The city has a party called "First Night Annapolis" ever year. The festival closes most of Downtown to street vendors, radio stations, and other random activities. You can get your face painted. We couldn't convince Jill. At the bottom of the street, we made the turn towards Riordan's. Theo was to meet us there.
It was really crowded downstairs, but we waited for the upstairs to open. By this time Theo and others had arrived. We scored a table by the window. This proved to be useful as the night progressed. The room began to fill, but it was never packed to the gills. I was really happy with this. We sat at the table, and considered leaving for the countdown. This idea was squashed when we looked outside. The streets were packed, and the lines for each establishment winded around the block. It was a good decision to stay. Denby, Jason, Matt, and Megan were easily able to join us.
Midnight began to draw near, and the Riordan's staff passed out party favors. We had hats, streamers, horns, and confetti. I kept blowing my horn into people's faces until it broke. It would only emit a strange wine. I guess I deserved it. The countdown arrived sooner then I thought. Wow, its almost 2005! We said the usual 3, 2, 1 ... Happy New Year!!! Our proximity to the window allowed for a great view of the Fireworks from the Naval Academy. The display must have lasted twenty minutes. I was impressed.
This being a small town, the bars still closed at 130am. We were kicked out into the street with no place to go. We had a few afterparty ideas, but we needed a cab. Everyone was trying to hail one. There were no where near enough for the hordes of people. We waited for about thirty minutes, then decided to get some pizza from Mangia. I ordered six pieces for all. This was too many so, I handed out some to random people on the street. Forty five minutes and two pieces of pizza later, we still had no cab. Horrible. I only live two and a half miles from Downtown so, I suggested we walk to my house. Theo made the decision just to walk back to Eastport. Jill wasn't up for the trek so, Tony stayed behine while I traversed up Main Street. At Church Circle, I thought to myself, "Hey this is dumb. Its cold. I am tired. I am sober. Lets run." I started running in jeans and decent shoes. Oh, I forgot to mention! The whole night I had my collar turned up. Why? Its NYE. Its suppose to be fun. Back to late night. I was running up West Street at 3 in the morning in jeans, decent shoes, and my collar turned up. Awesome. Some guy pulled over and asked if I was ok. He looked like a ghost when I told him I was just running home. I was in bed and asleep by 4am.
What a fun night! I have heard stories of crazier NYE experiences. Hi Rob! Alas, I still had fun. When you don't plan, you always have fun. I really enjoyed spending time with close friends. I won't get to see Tony for a very long time. Well, its time to start this 2005 thing. Like I mentioned, I have a lot to look forward too. This year should be great. Lets just look ahead till my Birthday. On tap is Deep Dish, Rio de Janeiro, U2, and The Allman Brothers. Not too shabby. Time to get ill.
Comments
OMGWTFLOL you ran home. that kicks ass. i think i got home in a similar fashion, except i don't remember, or what the black shit was all over the bottom half of my jeans, etc. etc. etc. i don't think i'll be doing anymore "big" NYE's anytime in the near future... sounds like you all had a blast (minus the cab crap)
